Kevin McLaughlin

The Limavady man also admitted that the character the ten men showed is also a positive boss Peter Hutton can take from the game at the Showgrounds.

Derry, who gave a debut to Seanan Clucas in the heart of midfield, suffered an set-back in the warm-up after captain Ryan McBride picked up a back injury and had to be replaced by Dean Jarvis, who slotted in a left-back with Aaron Barry moving across to centre-back alongside Shane McEleney.

Lowry gave the Brandywell men the lead on seven minutes bursting into the Sligo box before his shot was too much to handle for Sligo goalkeeper Ryan Coulter.

Unfortunately for the visitors their lead only lasted a matter of minutes as Eoin Wearen headed home from close range.

Neither side created much in the second half but the Candystripes suffered more injuries with Dean Jarvis limping off with what looked like an ankle problem and Shaun Kelly played through the pain barrier for the final 25 minutes also with an ankle injury.

Derry City midfielder Philip Lowry scored his first goal of the season, at the Showgrounds. Pictured by Photo Lorcan Doherty/Presseye.com

Then right at the death Mark Timlin was cautioned twice in a matter of moments by referee David McKeon, before getting his marching orders.